Chapter Text
Bucky peered up at the ceiling, “Jarvis?” he asked, a little tentatively. Then scowled at himself for being ridiculous.
“Yes, Mr Barnes?” the disembodied reply sounded almost amused. Bucky went wide-eyed for a split second, he had not been in the tower long and all the tech still made him feel a bit like he had been shot into another dimension rather than forward in time. Sure, he had been around for the advances, but being the Winter Soldier had not really left him time for learning about anything that was not needed by his masters. His social skills in particular had gone downhill. He used to be charming, he was sure of it. Tony had curtly recommended that he ask Jarvis for help with his “people skills” after he had tried to answer the towers' intercom one morning and made the delivery boy literally pee himself on the doorstep.
“Mr Barnes?” Jarvis prodded gently, this time sounding more concerned than amused. Bucky blinked and looked up at the ceiling again.
“Sorry, I know you’re not up there–” Bucky gestured above his head, “–just my Ma taught me it was polite to look at people you’re talkin’ to, and I dunno how else to do that with you,”
“That is quite alright Mr Barnes, how may I help you today?” Jarvis replied, back to the faint undertones of amusement.
“Erm, well to be honest it’s pretty much on the same tracks, I don’t really know what passes for a gentleman’s manners in this time or how to find out what else I don’t know, you know?” Bucky said. He winced at himself ruefully.
“I see, well, there is some interesting media on the subject. My search indicates the majority of people in this time feel a similar way, regardless of being raised in it. Would you prefer to access written media or video?”
“Erm written please, it will give me more chance to think it over; does it just appear in front of me or…?” He trailed off wondering if he’d committed some faux pas again.
“Of course Mr Barnes, there should be a tablet computer in your room,” Jarvis said. “Check the second drawer of the desk,” he elaborated at Bucky’s blank expression.
Bucky investigated and held up the shiny red device. “Starkpad?” he asked.
“Sir is as original as ever,” Jarvis replied dryly. “I have taken the liberty of loading a file with basic operating instructions and some practice tasks for you to familiarise yourself, as well as the articles you requested,”
“Thank you, Jarvis, this is really helpful. Could, er, would you… Can we not mention this to anybody please? It’s a little embarrassing,” Bucky asked.
“As you wish, Mr Barnes,”
Bucky started reading through the file Jarvis had prepared for him and slid down onto the floor, leaning his back against the hardwood desk for support and finding it surprisingly comfortable. The carpet was plush and comfortable to sit on. He ran the fingers of his flesh and blood hand through the pile absently, enjoying the simple sensation as he read. Whilst basic, he noted that the room was luxuriously furnished. All high quality, solid wood, rich, thick fabrics, luxurious, downy padding and tasteful splashes of colour highlighting more neutral tones. After what Bucky had got used to, a modern prison cell would have been comparatively opulent, and he was surprised Stark had gone to the effort of making his room so comfortable. It could have just been standard for the tower, but the customisations like the workbench to accommodate his arm maintenance and the closet full of basic modern clothing, as well as a few nice suits all tailored to his exact measurements, were a major clue that it was not the case. Even if Stark hadn’t specified the accommodations himself, he had allowed someone to make his room as tailored as the clothing when it would have been perfectly reasonable not to do so. He wondered if there was an era-appropriate gesture he could make to convey his gratitude, and set to learning how to navigate the tablet as quickly as possible.
It was much later, well into the small hours of the morning, when Bucky, still sitting on the floor opposite the chenille couch and queen-sized bed, found an article he thought he could relate to. It was helpfully titled “How to express your feelings thoughtfully as a modern man”
“Well,” he announced out loud with a snort, “that couldn’t get any more specific!”
The article wasn’t one Jarvis had recommended but his crash course on navigating the internet for leisure purposes had helped him find it, and it had some really helpful suggestions. Leaving notes instead of actually talking made things much easier, and he figured internet shopping for some “kind and thoughtful gifts tailored to the recipient” couldn’t be too hard.
Bucky watched from the vent above the kitchen as Tony opened the cupboard and pulled out the bottle of Glenlivet scotch and carefully peeled off the post-it note.
“Jarvis? Did you see who left this?” Tony asked quizzically while waving the note in the air. It was a standard yellow post-it everyone had a pack of along with the other stationary in their desks that the staff kept replenished, so no clue there.
Hey Tony
I noticed you were fond of this
The handwriting was a tidy cursive, not really anything to go on there either.
“I did, Sir.” Jarvis replied pointedly.
“Right, and I don’t suppose you’re going to elaborate on that?” Tony said; clearly used to his AI child's sassiness.
“Correct, Sir. I was asked not to as it is embarrassing ,” Jarvis said.
“Ah. So I’ve not to push, huh? Fair enough, I’ll play your little games,” Tony said, looking closer at the note. “I don’t recognise the handwriting so that rules out Pepper, hmmm Steve is still in a huff with me, I mean I suppose it could be an apology gift, but then that's much less likely than him showing up to yell at me some more,” Tony rambled and Bucky cringed knowing he was the cause of the rift in their relationship.
“Who would gift me booze? Maybe Natasha or Clint, but not like this; they’d just sit down with the bottle and some glasses. To be fair, Clint would more likely bring a crate of beer. Now this could be Thor’s style but the drink choice is wrong, it would be lethal and in a keg and the note would be weirder…” he trailed off clearly thinking, “Bruce! Bruce would do this, maybe? But he’s not been around for a while, I should call him really, also why would he be embarrassed he’s not a fan with a crush… Jarvis, did someone who shouldn't be here get in the tower?” Tony asked sounding mildly concerned before catching himself, “Of course they didn’t or you wouldn’t be playing along with this… if it’s a secret admirer game it could be anyone, disguising their writing or changing up their m.o…” he trailed off again as he walked away, smiling at the note and whistling to himself.
Bucky sat up sharply and nearly smacked his head off the inside of the vent. It wasn’t supposed to be a love confession, it was a simple thank-you. He was going to have to leave another note now to make his intentions more clear.